Babysitter in WA court for child sex abuse

A 73-YEAR-OLD man accused of sexually abusing five girls when he was babysitting in Perth more than a decade ago will remain behind bars following a court appearance.

David Arthur Rice faced Rockingham Magistrates Court on Monday charged with 31 offences, including 14 counts of sexual penetration of a child and four counts of having a sexual relationship with a child.

Police allege the abuse happened in the Warnbro area between 2002 and 2005, involving girls aged between six and 11 at the time of the first incident.

Rice, from Bunbury in the state’s south, was remanded in custody to appear back in court on June 7.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.